Nurse accused of endangering elderly patient

Town of Union, NY (WBNG Binghamton) A Broome County nurse was arrested for endangering a nursing home resident and falsifying records at Good Shepherd Village at Endwell.

According to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Tanya Johnson, 34, of Greene, was arrested for failing to follow nursing home policy after a resident fell and injured himself, then lying to the facility about what happened.

She was charged with falsifying business records in the first degree, endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person in the second degree, and willful violation of health laws.

Johnson is a licensed practical nurse and worked at Good Shepherd Village at the time of the incident in October 2013.

Schneiderman said the resident fell while being bathed by Johnson.

“Our office will prosecute anyone who fails to meet their legal obligation to provide care to our seniors,” said Schneiderman. “New Yorkers deserve every assurance that their loved ones will be appropriately cared for in nursing facilities.”

The resident suffered abrasions to his coccyx area and lower back.

Johnson did not follow nursing home policy when she failed to have the resident assessed by a registered nurse before he was moved.

Johnson then gave Good Shepherd Village a handwritten statement that said the resident “did not fall or hit himself at any time in the bathroom this morning.”

Schniederman said when questioned by an investigator, Johnson admitted that both she and the resident fell.

She also admitted she got the resident up and saw four abrasions on his buttocks area and did not tell anyone about the fall or that the injuries were caused by the fall.

Johnson began working at Good Shepherd Village in July 2013.

Her charges include a class E felony, which is punishable by up to four years in prison and up to five years of probation if found guilty.